Sharpshooters in Torrance

[xxxx]

I usually frequent LAX or LA Gun club for indoor ranges, but I had some family in town from Denmark that wanted to go to a shooting range. I decided to go to Sharpshooters in Torrance. I've been there many times before and never had an issue...

Before we went I gave them all an hour long safety lesson about firearms. They speak very good English and are very friendly. So far everyone they have encountered in LA has been very nice to them.

We drove the 45 min to Sharpshooters, we walked in, they saw all the guns there and were asking some questions and the guys behind the counter were nothing but jerks. They gave this horrible stereotype of gun owners. I asked to speak to the manager, an older guy came out and he basically told me off with a very smug look on his face.

No one did anything stupid, wrong, or unsafe - my family is VERY friendly. We were just shooting a Glock 19 and a Sig P6 - nothing crazy like an AR-15.

The it isn't necessarily a bad range (I consider it to be better than LA Gun Club), but it is an awful place to take new shooters. It seems like an extremely hostile environment just because of the staff alone. It was also very over priced compared to LAX.

I will not be going back there again.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I can't say I blame you. If they are jerks, don't bother giving them your money.

[Kala]

I've been there a few times, and I've gotta say, I haven't really had much of a bad experience there. The staff were pretty indifferent of my presence there which is to be expected. When I did have a question or two, they answered me. It's a gun range though, you go there, pay, set up, and shoot, interaction with staff is pretty low anyway...

As for the price, I personally think it's quite cheap compared to LAX. You pay once, get supplied with a free target for you and anyone you bring with you, and shoot for as long as you want without paying hourly. LAX makes you pay an hourly fee.

What did the staff actually say to your family, and what questions did they ask? How were the staff jerks?

[brassburnz]

I've been a member at the Firing Line for many years. I started out at the Northridge location and now primarily use the Burbank location. I usually shoot by myself, but take the wife and kids on occasion.

I've taken several new shooters there and have had nothing but good experiences. I haven't been shooting for while because of back problems, but can't wait to get back.

[Bruce]

I did a PPT there once. Never again. The owner was a real jerk about my retired LE exemption. He decided to call DOJ and after three or four trys, suggested I take the test for the card. When I pointed out that Turner's hasn't had a problem, he snapped back that "Turner's does a lot of things they shouldn't!" the sell er finally called DOJ on his cell and got through right away. The owner talked to them and finally went ahead with the paperwork. When I came back, I had to buy a zipper case before he'd release the gun to me. Bad experience all around.

[Ford8N]

I'm curious what exactly they did to you and your relatives.

[vf116]

I'm not a fan of going there either, but they are close to my house. There a good spot if you walk in shoot and leave.

[calilivin]

"Nothing crazy like an AR15" Whats that supposed to mean?

[MrMarco]

Thanks for the heads-up. I don't like to do business with people like that. I've been meaning to check Sharpshooters out, but I will continue to go to LAX instead...

[Oceanbob]

Sounds like a bunch of blue-collar, uneducated Swamp People who don't have a single clue about customer service.

(Probably a Lack of Leadership and expectation from the owner and manager)

Once you chase a good customer off you can count on 10 people not coming back. In this internet age and 100,000 like-minded people reading complaints, you would expect these "business people" to jump thru hoops being nice.

When I hear a Thumbs-Up about a Gun Store or Gun Range, I make it a POINT to spend my money with that Company.! Even driving further to give them my business.

And when I hear your story, I never shop or spend money at those locations.

Thanks for the heads-up. Too bad they gave such a bad impression of Gun people and Americans. Shame on them.

Be well
Bob

I usually frequent LAX or LA Gun club for indoor ranges, but I had some family in town from Denmark that wanted to go to a shooting range. I decided to go to Sharpshooters in Torrance. I've been there many times before and never had an issue...

Before we went I gave them all an hour long safety lesson about firearms. They speak very good English and are very friendly. So far everyone they have encountered in LA has been very nice to them.

We drove the 45 min to Sharpshooters, we walked in, they saw all the guns there and were asking some questions and the guys behind the counter were nothing but jerks. They gave this horrible stereotype of gun owners. I asked to speak to the manager, an older guy came out and he basically told me off with a very smug look on his face.

No one did anything stupid, wrong, or unsafe - my family is VERY friendly. We were just shooting a Glock 19 and a Sig P6 - nothing crazy like an AR-15.

The it isn't necessarily a bad range (I consider it to be better than LA Gun Club), but it is an awful place to take new shooters. It seems like an extremely hostile environment just because of the staff alone. It was also very over priced compared to LAX.

I will not be going back there again.

[Full Clip]

I'm curious what exactly they did to you and your relatives.

Yeah, same.
Was it a problem with their IDs?

[email]

I go in there with stuff they've never seen and they're cool to me. I think that's how it is. If you're a noob or seem like a noob, they treat you poorly.

I think the term you're looking for is "gun snob".

[4Defense]

It's funny this kind of thread about Sharpshooter comes up every couple of months. It always start out with "they are jerks", "have bad customer service", "they treat you badly".

Why did they treat you badly? How about some specifics? There are people on the internet that do not have the "monkey see , monkey do syndrome". Back up your claims with facts.

I have been going there for a few years. Most people go in there, pay and shoot then just leave. What else do you expect from a gun range? Throw a bbq afterward?

I was there yesterday early afternoon. There were about 10-15 people there and that was a Tuesday. For a small gun range, that's was pretty bad right?

Those guys there, they do not cater to stupidity nor ignorance. Those two things do not go well at a gun range.

Not affiliated to Sharpshooter in anyway. Just an occasional shooter there.

[golfrj]

It's funny this kind of thread about Sharpshooter comes up every couple of months. It always start out with "they are jerks", "have bad customer service", "they treat you badly".

Why did they treat you badly? How about some specifics? There are people on the internet that do not have the "monkey see , monkey do syndrome". Back up your claims with facts.

I have been going there for a few years. Most people go in there, pay and shoot then just leave. What else do you expect from a gun range? Throw a bbq afterward?

I was there yesterday early afternoon. There were about 10-15 people there and that was a Tuesday. For a small gun range, that's was pretty bad right?

Those guys there, they do not cater to stupidity nor ignorance. Those two things do not go well at a gun range.

Not affiliated to Sharpshooter in anyway. Just an occasional shooter there.

First, I am pleased that you enjoy the place so much as to Defend their Poor behavior and Customer Service..

Second, it appears that the OP and Majority of posters (Including myself) won't be meeting you there.. So you will have Lots of Room..

Third, YES a Bar B Que would be Very Nice, make mine well done..

Have Fun, Jim

[4Defense]

First,, yeah, there you go. Jump on the wagon because he said so. Better be quick before it takes off without you.

Second. Sharpshooter or not, I won't be meeting any of you anywhere. Everytime I go to a range, I always hope that there are nobody there. Of course , more room for me.

Third. No wonder you get treated like crap because you think your dollar is worth more than it is. This is not a third world country.